guyadams291 - @Guy Adams

Mary’s Meals will reach 95,000 more chronically hungry children in Zambia with a life-changing meal every school day thanks to donations from generous supporters that are to be matched by the UK government. The £2m raised by the school feeding charity’s Double The Love campaign will be doubled to £4m, providing one good meal every day in school, attracting impoverished children in Zambia to the classroom where they can gain an all-important education.

Daniel Adams, executive director of Mary’s Meals UK, said: “The generosity of our supporters across the UK, who have responded overwhelmingly to this match funding campaign, will help us to transform the lives of many, many more hungry children with the gifts of food and education. The fact the remarkable kindness of our supporters can unlock additional funding from the UK government to reach more hungry children is a huge boost.

“Double The Love was marked by a huge outpouring of love and generosity from our supporters. Their unwavering commitment to our mission gives us a wonderful opportunity to create an even bigger impact in Zambia.”

International development secretary Rory Stewart added: “I am delighted the UK government has matched the first £2m to Mary’s Meals’ Double the Love campaign, helping them to raise a total of £5.5m. This will pay for school meals in Zambia, giving its children a chance of a decent education.”

Mary’s Meals has been working with communities in Zambia since 2014 and is now feeding 119,315 children there every school day. Worldwide, the charity is currently providing 1.4m children with a nutritious meal every school day across 18 countries.